Verona’s story stretches back over two thousand years. Founded as a Roman settlement, it flourished into an important urban centre, and remnants of that era still dominate the cityscape. The most striking of these is the Arena di Verona, a colossal amphitheatre built in the first century AD. Still in use today, it hosts world-famous opera performances every summer, allowing visitors to experience culture in a setting once filled with gladiators and Roman crowds. Other Roman landmarks, such as the Ponte Pietra bridge and the ancient city gates, reveal the strength of Verona’s classical heritage.

Beyond its Roman roots, Verona thrived in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The city’s historic centre is a maze of cobblestone streets, elegant piazzas, and richly decorated palaces. Piazza delle Erbe, once the Roman forum, is today a lively square filled with cafés, colourful market stalls, and medieval buildings adorned with frescoes. Just steps away, Piazza dei Signori exudes grandeur, surrounded by stately palaces that reflect Verona’s role as a hub of governance and culture.

No mention of Verona is complete without Juliet. The so-called Casa di Giulietta, with its iconic balcony, draws countless visitors who leave letters and notes in homage to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine. Whether or not the Capulets truly lived there is beside the point: the site embodies the enduring power of Verona’s association with romance.

Yet Verona is not just a museum of the past — it is a thriving modern city. Its residents balance tradition with contemporary vibrancy. Stylish boutiques line the streets, while wine bars and trattorias offer Veneto’s culinary delights, from risotto all’Amarone to local Valpolicella wines. The annual opera festival, numerous art exhibitions, and seasonal markets ensure Verona is alive year-round with cultural activity.

Perhaps what makes Verona so enchanting is its balance. It offers the grandeur of Rome, the romance of Florence, and the charm of smaller Italian towns, all within one compact, walkable centre. Visitors leave not only with memories of Juliet’s balcony or the Arena’s arches, but with a sense that Verona itself is a living stage — a city where history and romance continue to play out under the Italian sun.

By Bernardo Calero / bcalero43@hotmail.com

To get there: London airports run schedule flights to Verona Airport.

To get around: Walking, walking and walking For information: https://www.visitverona.it/en